Forming and packaging machine



Jan. 21, 1964 w. A. MESSICK 3,118,262

FORMING AND PACKAGING MACHINE Filed May 28, 1962 10 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

1 Q zmammza ATTORNEYS.

Jan. 21, 1964 w. A. MESSICK FORMING AND PACKAGING MACHINE 10Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 28, 1962 M m m w WW J g. D .z e Z I H I WW\ m LI J Y 4 \4 L W B -L7 I 3 k Q .nw M; 11! l lll Illa... MN hw 8 H w. 6 m 33 i QM, m

n H" 5% TR 3 Jan. 21, 1964 w. A. MEsslcK FORMING AND PACKAGING MACHINE1O Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 28, 1962 Q INVENTOIRI ATTORNEYS.

Jan. 21, 1964 w. A. MEsslCK 3,118,262

FORMING AND PACKAGING MACHINE Filed May 28, 1962 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 8 11IN V EN TOR.

ATTORNEYS.

Jan. 21, 1964 w. A. MESSICK 3,118,262

FORMING AND PACKAGING MACHINE Filed May 28, 1962 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VEN TOR.

ATTORNEYS.

Jan. 21, 1964 w. A. MESSICK 3,118,262

FORMING ND PACKAGING MACHINE Filed May 28, 1962 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 IN VEN TOR.

ATTORNEYS Jan. 21, 1964 w. A. MESSICK 3,118,262

FORMING AND PACKAGING MACHINE Filed May 28, 1962 10 Sheets-Sheet 7 IN VEN TOR.

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Jan. 21, 1964 w. A. MESSICK 3,118,262

FORMING AND PACKAGING MACHINE Filed May 28, 1962 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 IN VEN TOR.

' 97 QWQMA ATTORNEYS.

Jan. 21, 1964 w. A. MESSICK 3,118,262

FORMING AND PACKAGING MACHINE Filed May 28, 1962 10 Sheets-Sheet 9INVENTOR.

I H 931 7; (/31) W/QZMJWk Mw ATTORNEYS.

Jan. 21, 1964 Filed May 28, 1962 W. A. MESSICK FORMING AND PACKAGINGMACHINE 1O Sheets-Sheet l0 PS-A TT-A ll TT-B IN VEN TOR.

ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent 3,118,262 FURMING AND PACKAGBIG MACHINE Walker A.Messick, Anderson, 11141., assignor to Lynch Corporation, Anderson, Ind,a corporation of Indiana Filed May 28, 1962, Ser. No. 198,056 25 Claims.(Cl. 53184) This invention relates to a machine for forming pockets inarticle receiving cards, and packaging the articles in the cards.

One object of the invention is to provide a machine for forming pocketsin cards in which articles may be inserted, and folding parts of thecard over to enclose the articles in the pockets whereupon the packagesare sealed closed.

Another object is to provide a machine including a plurality of stationsat which various operations are performed such as loading cards one at atime into the machine at one station, heating stretchable films of thecards at another one or two stations, forming the heated films intoarticle receiving pockets at another station, loading product into thepockets of the cards at another one or two stations, folding certainparts of the card Over so as to enclose the articles in its pockets atanother station and sealing the pockets closed by means of highfrequency currents at a final station of the machine.

A further object is to provide means to insure proper operation of themechanism at each station of the machine by utilizing the movements of apiston in a main cylinder to mechanically perform most of the operationsat the various stations and to provide limit switches actuated therebyfor controlling other operations at some of the stations in conjunctionwith the mechanical operations performed by the main cylinder, thusinsuring a proper sequence of operations at each station of the machineand minimizing the possibility of any jamming of the machine at anystation due to malfunctioning.

Still a further object is to provide a card loading station Where avacuum pick-up arrangement is mechanically actuated by the main cylinderto remove cards one at a time from a magazine and deposit them foradvancement by card slide bars.

An additional object is to provide at a forming station of the machine aforming mold actuated by the main cylinder and a cooperating formingplate actuated by a cylinder under control of a limit switch that isactuated by the main cylinder.

Another additional object is to provide at a card fold station acombination of mechanically and pneumatically actuated folding meanscooperating with each other wherein the pneumatically operated foldingmeans is actuated by limit switches controlled by the main cylinder.

A further additional object is to provide a card-sealing station whereelectrodes are brought into simultaneous contact with the upper andlower surfaces of the card to seal it by means of high frequencycurrents, the electrodes being actuated by the main cylinder.

Still a further additional object is to provide a second cylinder foractuating the card slide bars, such cylinder being under control of alimit switch actuated by the main cylinder, the second cylinder in turnactuating a limit switch for causing actuation of the main cylinder.

With these and other objects in view, my invention consists in theconstruction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of myforming and packaging machine, whereby the objects above contemplatedare attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in myclaims and illustrated in detail on the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective View of a pair of card slide bars and eightcards associated therewith and being 2. operated upon by my machine. Theprogressive operations performed on the cards at all eight stations ofthe machine are illustrated.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a card suitable for forming and packaging in mymachine.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view thereof on the line 33 of FIG. 2showing part of the card folded over.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of a forming and packaging machine embodyingmy invention, showing the intake half thereof including stations (1) to(4) inclusive.

FIG. 4a is a similar side elevation thereof showing the discharge halfthereof and is a continuation of the right hand end of FIG. 4. FIG. 4ashows stations (5) to (8) inclusive of the machine.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view betweenstations (5) and (6) as taken on the line 55 of FIG. 4a and shows theoperating mechanism for a pair of card slide bars of the machine.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged side elevation of a card slide bar and a pusherfinger carried thereby as viewed on the indicating line 66 of FIG. 5,the pusher finger here shown being the type provided at stations (1),(2), (3), (4) and (7) of the machine.

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view thereof on the line 77 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 7a is a similar sectional view for stations (1) and (7) only.

FIG. 8 is a side elevation similar to FIG. 6 showing the type of pusherfingers used at stations (5) and (6).

FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view on the line 9-9 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIGS. 6 and 8 showing the pusher fingerused at station 8).

FIG. 11 is a vertical sectional view thereof on line 1111 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view of mechanismof my machine at station (4) thereof showing a forming mechanism.

FIG. 13 is a transverse vertical sectional view at station (7) of themachine showing a card folding mechamsm.

FIG. 14 is a detail on the line 14-14 of FIG. 13 showing a hold-downfinger.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the finger and an associated part ofmachine.

FIG. 16 is a vertical sectional view on the line 16-16 of FIG. 13showing the parts of the card folding mechanism in one position.

FIG. 17 is a view similar to a portion of FIG. 16 showing the parts in adifferent position during the card folding operation.

FIG. 18 is a similar vertical sectional view similar to FIG. 16 showinga further position of the parts.

FIG. 19 is similar to FIG. 17 showing the final position of the partswith the card completely folded.

FIG. 20 is a transverse vertical sectional view at station (8) of themachine showing a card sealing mechamsm.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the finished or formed and packagedcard.

FIG. 22 is a similar view thereof showing the card turned over.

FIG. 23 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the line 2323 ofFIG. 4 and shows a typical supporting and adjusting means for card slidebars of my machine in order to adapt them for cards of differentdimensions laterally of the machine, and

FIG. 24 is an electro diagrammatic view showing a control circuit foraccomplishing automatic operation of my folding and packaging machine. I

On the accompanying drawings I have used the refer ence numeral 25 toindicate in general a skeleton base frame. This frame is shown in FIGS.4 and 4a as being provided with supporting feet 38.

Six supporting brackets 26 extend upwardly from the frame 25 and areprovided in pairs transversely of the machine as shown in FIG. 23. Apair of parallel supporting bars 27 extend longitudinally of the machineand are provided with upper and lower channel strips 2% to slidablyreceive card slide bars 29. The upper strips 28 are adapted for a card Cto slide thereon. The supporting bars 27 are mounted on brackets 39which in turn are supported on a supporting shaft 32 and an adjustingshaft 33 for each pair of the brackets 26. The adjusting shaft 33 isprovided with a worm gear 34 with which a worm 35 meshes, the Worm beingmounted on an adjusting shaft 35 extending longitudinally of the machineand terminating as shown in FIG. 4 at its left hand end in an adjustinghand wheel 37.

As shown in FIG. 23 the shaft 33 is provided with right and left handthreads which are threaded in nuts Ail of the brackets 39 so that as thehand wheel 37 is rotated in one direction the adjusting shaft 33 will belikewise rotated and move the brackets 39 toward each other for anarrower card. Reversely the brackets may be moved apart foraccommodating a wider card. The machine is thus readily adapted forsupporting cards C of various widths.

The cards used are usually of cardboard, and it is desirable to haveintermediate supports such as shown at 31. These supports are in turnsupported by brackets 39a similar to the brackets 39 except they areclamped to the supporting shaft 32 by clamp screws 49a. FIG. 23 shows apair of cover guards 41 to enclose some of the mechanism which willhereinafter be described. These cover guards are omitted from FIGS. 4and 4a.

As shown in FIG. 1 station (1) of the machine is a card loading station.Stations (2) and (3) are film heating stations. tation (4) is a filmforming station. Stations and (6) are product loading stations. Station(7) is a card folding station, and station (8) is a card'sealingstation. At station (1) a magazine is provided comprising ends 42 andsides 44. These are suitably adjustable to accommodate cards of varioussizes, the cards being stacked as illustrated in PEG. 1 and resting uponsmall projections 44 shown in FIG. 4 in such manner that vacuum cups maycontact the lowermost card and withdraw it downwardly past theprojections and deposit it on the upper channel strips 23 to he slidtherealong by pusher fingers 45 such as shown in FIG. 6. Card keeperbars 30 extend longitudinally of the supporting bars 27 and the upperchannel strips 28 as shown in FIG. 23 and also in FIGS. 6 to 10. In FIG.7a the card keeper bar 30 is notched as indicated at 36a at station (1)to permit downward movement of the card from the card holding magazine4243 into the position indicated by the card C.

The vacuum cups above referred to are shown at 46 in FIG. 4 and arecarried by a bracket 47 supported by parallelogram links 48 from astationary bracket 49. The bracket 47 is adapted to be cyclicallyelevated from the position shown in FIG. 4 and then brought down againby means of a cam 50 which is pivoted at 51 to the frame 25 andoperatively connected by a link 52 pivoted at 53 to the cam and at 54 toa reciprocable rod 55 extending longitudinally of the machine. It willbe obvious that as the rod 55 slides toward the left from the positionshown in FIG. 4 it will rock the cam 50 upward and move the bracket 47upwardly by coacting with a roller 56 carried thereby.

After a card has been deposited on the upper channel strips 28 it may bemoved longitudinally thereof by the fingers 45 which as shown in FIG. 6are pivoted at 57 to the slide bars 29 and urged upwardly by lightsprings 58. In FIGS. 4 and 4:: it will be noted there is a finger 45 foreach station of the machine and as shown in FIG.

5 the fingers are arranged in pairs, one for the right side and one forthe left side. The fingers at the far left in FIG. 4 will engage thecard and move it toward the right as the slide bars 29 are likewisemoved toward the right, and the cards will be left in their newpositions when the slide bars return in the opposite direction by reasonof the fingers 45 pivoting downwardly and dragging under the cards, thecards being held by hold-down fingers 59 shown in FIGS. 14 and 15operating in notches 69 of the card keeper bars 39. The fingers 59 areresilient for this purpose, being formed of nylon or the like, and undertension when the screws 59a are tightened during assem-, bly. Thus eachcyclical reciprocation of the card slide bars 29 results in advancingcards from each station to the next succeeding station.

At stations (2) and (3) as shown in FIG. 4 film heaters 61 such asradiant electric heating elements formed of resistance wire or the likeare provided for heating films carried by the cards C. A typical card isshown in FIG. 2 and it will be noted that it is provided with openingsor windows 62 which are covered by strips of transparent film such asacetate or the like indicated at 63. Perforations d4 are shown forhanging the package on a hook or display board after it is completed,and a series of cut lines 65 is illustrated. The card C shown isaccordingly adapted to be cut into six individual cards after thepackage is loaded and sealed.

The machine here disclosed is particularly designed for loading a typeof card which has pockets into which the articles to be sold are loaded,one such pocket being shown at 65 in FIG. 3. The marginal edges of thecards beyond the fold lines 67 shown in FIG. 2 are adapted to be foldedover as shown at 68, after which the pocket is sealed closed as willhereinafter appear.

To form the pockets 66, a forming mechanism is provided at station (4)but some films have to be heated in order to be properly formed.Accordingly as the cards pass over and pause at stations (2) and (3)they are heated by the heaters 61 and are thus ready for forming atstation (4).

For this purpose a forming mold 69 is shown with which a forming plate79 cooperates (see FIG. 12). The plate 7 (l is provided with pocketforming plugs 71. Vertical guide rods 72 are provided on which the mold69 and plate 70 are slidable. The mold 69 is adapted to he slid upwardlyalong the guide rods 72 by a rack 73 meshing with a pinion 74 which inturn meshes with a rack 75 on the reciprocating rod 55- (see FIG. 4).The plate 79 is adapted to he slid downwardly along the rods 7 by apiston rod 76 mounted on a piston 77 slid-able in a cylinder C3 asshrown in FIG. 2. FIG. 12 also shows a pressure pad '79 associated withthe forming plate 70, and a means for vacuumizing the pockets of theforming mold 69 by means of a vacuum line 89.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 16 the card folding station (7) is showntogether with the card folding mechanism thereat. This mechanismcomprises a pair of transverse rock shafts 81 and 82 on which are fourfolder arms 83 and four folder arms 84 respectively terminating inrollers 85 and 86. The rock shaft 81 is driven by a chain 87 from a rockshaft 88 and the rock shaft 82 is driven from the same rock shaft but inthe reverse direction by means of a gear 89 and a gear sector 90. Thegear 89 meshes with a rack 91 also mounted on the reciprocating rod 55(also see FIG. 4a). The rod 55 serves as a piston rod and has a piston92 mounted thereon and reciprocable in a main cylinder C1.

The card folding mechanism also includes a pair of breaker blades 94suitably suppported by pistons and piston rods, the pistons beingslidable in cylinders C4. There are also fold arms 96 carrying crossrods 97 on which are connected to a piston rod 1% which is suitablyprovided with a piston reciprocable in a cylinder 1&1. The function ofthese parts and their operation will hereinafter appear.

At station (8) card sealing mechanism is provided comprising verticalguide rods on which are slidable lower and upper induction heatingelectrodes 1G3 and 104. These electrodes are adapted to movesimultaneously upwardly and downwardly respectively, and press againstthe folded card, whereupon suitable high frequency currents pass betweenthe electrodes. For this purpose the electrodes are moved by means ofracks 1G5 and 1% respectively arranged as shown in FIG. 4a so that arack 107 meshes with a pinion 108 on a shaft 199 which in turn has apinion 11% meshing with a rack 111 as shown in FIG. which in turn mesheswith a pinion 112 on a shaft 113 provided with a pinion 116 meshing withthe rack 1136. Thus the two electrodes 103 and 194 are always insynchronisrn and movable equally in opposite directions to contact thetop and bottom of the card C without tending to either raise or lowerit.

As shown in FIG. 4a a slide bar cylinder C2 is provided in which apiston is reciprocable and connected with a piston rod 116 terminatingin a rack 117. The rack 117 meshes with a pinion 118 which drives a gear119 that meshes with a rack 12%}. The rack 12% is mounted on a cardslide bar 29 and in practice there are two of the gears 119 (see FIG. 5)mounted on a splined shaft 119a to which the pinion 118 is fixed, andtwo of the racks 129, one for each of the slide bars so that they arereciprocated in synchronism. Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9 the lowerchannel strips 28 are notched at 23a to accommodate the gear 119.

As shown in FIG. 13 the breaker blades 94 are of transparent plasticmaterial so that their action during operation can be observed andlikewise any malfunctioning thereof. They are notched as indicated at94a to clear the fold arms 96 and at 94b to clear the cylinders C4.

Referring to the electric diagram in FIG. 24 line wires 127 and 128supply current for the circuit illustrated. A main switch 129 whenclosed supplies current to the film heaters 61 under the automaticcontrol of Variacs 154. Branch wires 13% extend to a high frequencygenerator 155 for generating the proper current for the electrodes 1'33and 1 14 which have suitably shaped extensions 132 as shown in FIG. 20to form the seal patterns 131 shown in dotted lines in FIGS. 21 and 22.Current is also supplied to a transformer 133, the line wires 127 and128 being preferably at 220 volts whereas the secondary of thetransformer 133 provides current at 110 volts.

A motor 134 under control of a switch 135 is provided for operating avacuum pump 136 that produces vacuum in a vacuum tank 138 shown in FIG.4. Compressed air is supplied through an air regulator and lubricator toa compressed air supply tank 137 for operating under the control ofsolenoid operated valves V1, V2, V3, V4 and V5 which control the flow ofair to the cylinders C1, C2, C3, C4 and C5. The various conduitconnections however have been omitted from the drawings but are inaccordance with legends to be found on FIG. 24.

The vacuum tank 138 is connected to vacuum valves 139 and 146 which areadapted to be opened by cams 141 and 142 respectively secured to thereciprocating rod 55. A vacuum connection 143 extends from the valve 13?to a manifold 146 which in turn is connected by vacuum connections 144and 145 to the vacuum cups 46. Only two of the cups are shown but thereare preferably four or six provided for adequate coaction with therelatively large card C, and they are mounted on adjustable arms thatswing relative to the manifold 146 so that they can be variouslypositioned to accommodate cards of different types, different shapes,and the like.

The vacuum valve 140 is connected to the hose 80 which leads to theforming mold 69 (also FIG. 12).

Returning to FIG. 24 the motor 134 is energized from 110 volt wires 157and 158 extending from the secondary of the transformer 133. The valvesV1 to V5 inclusive 7 are energized by these wires under the control oflimit switches (and other switches which will be later identified)indicated L1, L3 and L5 in FIG. 4 and L2, L6 and L7 in FIG. 4a. Thereciprocating rod 55 has a series of cams 148, 150, 153, 151 and 152respectively for these limit switches except for the limit switch L2which as shown in FIG. 4a is actuated by a striker plate 149 on the rack117.

The solenoid valve V1 has a, solenoid S1 as shown in FIG. 24 to throw itin one direction and a solenoid valve 81R to throw it in the reversedirection. This is indicated by (V1) following S1 and 81R. Actuation ofthese solenoids cause operation of the cylinder C1 to drive its piston92 toward the left and toward the right respectively as indicated by (L)and (R). Likewise the solenoid valve V2 has solenoids S2 and 52R for thecylinder C2 to drive its piston to the left and right respectively. Asingle solenoid S3 is provided for the valve V3 and when energized sendsthe piston of the cylinder C3 downwardly (D), and when de-energized thepiston moves upwardly. Similarly the solenoid valves SV4 and SVS areactuated by solenoids S4 and S5 to drive the pistons of the cylinders C4and C5 downwardly and upwardly respectively when energized. Whende-energized, the pistons of C4 return upwardly and the piston of C5returns downwardly.

Practical Operation Assuming the various elements of the machine in theposition shown in FIG. 4 and the magazine 42-43 loaded with cards C, themachine is ready for operation and at rest between cyles. Since thereciprocating rod 55 is at its right hand limit of motion the cam 148(see FIG. 4) has closed the normally open limit switch L1. Closure ofthe start button 125 accordingly energizes solenoid S2 to operatesolenoid valve V2 for supplying compressed air to the right hand end ofthe cylinder C2 to drive the rack 117 toward the left. Accordingly therack is driven toward the right and the slide bars 29 move forward, thefingers 45 at station (1) carrying a card deposited from the stack 16forward one station. At the end of the stroke of the rack 117 thestriker plate 149 closes limit switch L2 thereby energizing solenoid S1for the valve V1 that sends compressed air to the right hand end ofcylinder C1 to slide the rod 55 toward the left. Closure of the startbutton also energizes a control relay CR and its holding contacts CR-Aare thereby closed to keep the machine in operation after the startbutton is released. Since there are numerous operations performeddirectly from the rod 55, each station operation will now be describedin detail.

Card loading station (1).As the rod 55 moves toward the left the link 52will swing the cam 50 about the pivot 51, and the cam through the roller56 will elevate the right hand ends of the links 43 to raise the vacuumcups 46 into contact with the next card at the indicated dot-and-dashline position 44a.

During the pivoting of the cam '50, the cam 141 at the left hand end ofthe rod 55 will open the vacuum valve 139 for pulling a vacuum on thecups 46. The position of all components at station (1) remain until thepiston of the cylinder C1 moves toward the right whereupon thebottommost car C in the magazine 42-43 is pulled past the pro ections 44and deposited on the upper channel strips 28 as in FIG. 7a ready forsubsequent pick-up and transfer to station (2).

Film heating stations (2) and (3).As the cards C pause at these stationsthe film heaters 61 heat the films 63 to facilitate forming them atstation (4) with pockets 66 as shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 24 theheaters at at stations (2) and (3) are individually controlled by manualheater switches H2 and H3 respectively, these switches in turncontrolling relays HR2 and HR3 the coils of which are in the 110 voltcircuit and identified as HRZ-A, HR2B, HR3-A and HR3-B. Thus before themachine is started in operation the heaters 61 may be 7 turned on toattain their proper operating temperature, and depending on thecharacter of the film 63 either one or both heaters may be turned on assome films require more heat than others.

Forming station (4).As the piston of cylinder C1 travels toward the leftthe forming mold 69 is elevated through the rack 75, pinion 74 and rack73 into contact with the lower surface of the card C at this station.Limit switch L3 is closed by the cam 15% connected to the rod 55 thusenergizing the solenoid S3 of the valve V3 through the contacts T-A of apneumatic timer T whereby the valve V3 introduces air to the cylinder C3to cause the piston therein to descend and thereby move the pressure pad79 shown in FIG. 12 downwardly where by the pad first contacts the cardC and grips it with pressure between the forming mold 69 and thepressure pad which is spring loaded. The forming plate 7%? and thepocket forming plugs 71 thereafter engage the card. Initial contact of79 with the card thus occurs prior to contact of the forming plate 79therewith, and the card as Well as the film 63 around the pockets 615-is thus firmly clamped while the plugs 71 form the pockets by bearingupon the preheated stretched film on the card to carry it into thepockets of the forming mold 69, stretching it to conform to the plug.Prior to maximum penetration the vacuum valve 14-0 is opened by the cam142 on the rod 55, thereby allowing vacuum to be drawn in the formingmold.

The forming plate 70 is retracted at a preset time for which the timer Tis set thereby opening its contact T-A to de-energize the solenoid S3whereupon the valve V3 is reversed and air supplied to the lower end ofthe cylinder C3 for elevating the piston therein.

Product loading stations (5 and (6) .At these two stations whateverproduct is to be loaded into the pockets 66 of the cards C may be loadedby hand or automatically by suitable conveyor or the like.

Card folding station (7).As the piston of cylinder C1 moves toward theleft, a two-way cam 152 adjacent the right hand end of the rod 55 (seeFlG. 4n) closes the normally open limit switch L7 to energize solenoidS4 of the solenoid valve V4 thus sending air to the tops of the twocylinders C4 to lower the breaker blades 94 into contact with the card Cat its fold lines 67. The high point of the cam 152 then passes theswitch L7 to open it again thus reversing the pistons in the cylindersC4 as in FIG. 18 to retract the breaker blades 94. The piston incylinder C5 is normally down as shown in FIGS. 4a and 16 until limitswitch L6 is closed by cam 151 whereupon the piston is elevated formoving the fold arms 96 from the position of FIG. 16 to the position ofFIG. 17 to permit the folder arms 83 and 84 and their rollers 85 and 86to engage the ends of the card C for folding them over as indicated at68 in FIG. 3 and as shown in FIG. 18. At the extreme left hand positionof the rod 55, cam 152 rides off limit switch L7 and at approximatelythe same time cam 151 rides Off limit switch L6 so that the pistons inthe cylinders C4 are returned upwardly as shown in FIG. 18 and thefold-overs 68 are in position to be folded down by the fold arms 96 asin FIG. 19, and the piston in the cylinder C5 moves downwardly, firstcausing the rollers 97a to contact the card keeper bars 30 as shown bydotted lines and then swing down to the supine positions illustratedagainst the fold-overs 68 which are now in position to be sealed atstation (8). The foldovers are retained by the fold arms 96 completingthe fold to a lay-fiat position which is retained while the card C isbeing transferred to the seal station (8). The limit switches L6 and L7are of one-directional type so as to be closed and re-opened as the rod55 strokes to the left but remain open as the rod strokes to the rightthus preventing undesirab-le actuation of the pistons in the cylinderCdand C5 during the latter stroke. The card fold over assembly isadjustable lengthwise and widthwise for central location with respect tothe length and width of the card C and relative to the starting point ofthe fingers 45.

Card sealing station (8 ).Through the racks 107, 105, 111 and 106 andthe pinions 108 and 119, the electrodes 1% and 194 are movedsimultaneously upwardly and downwardly respectively and their extension132 engage the card C at substantially the same instant. Furthermovement then exerts pressure on the card C. Contact with the cardlimits the travel of the piston of the cylinder Cl whereupon thepressure in the cylinder builds up and is applied through the electrodesto the card. Cards of various thicknesses are thus automaticallycompensated for.

At a predetermined set pressure attained in a pressure switch PS that isresponsive to the pressure of air being applied to the cylinder C1,contacts PS-A close to energize the high frequency generator to elfectthe seals shown by dotted lines 131 in FIGS. 21 and 22. A secondpneumatic timer TT is also energized by closure of the pressure switchPS. When the timer 'IT times out it opens contacts TT-A to de-energizethe electrodes 103 and 1&4, and closes contacts TT-B 'for energizing thesolenoid SlR to actuate the piston in cylinder Cl for movement towardthe right and return of the rod 55 to initial position and the limitswitch switches actuated thereby likewise to their initial positions(all open except Ll closed).

As the piston of the cylinder C1 reaches the extreme left hand positionlimited by travel of the electrodes 103 and 1% of the seal station (8)limit switch L5 is contacted by the cam 153 to energize the solenoid SZRof the solenoid valve V2 thus returning the piston in the cylinder C2toward the right and the card slide bars 219 accordingly toward theleft. As the pick-up fingers 45 pass under tie cards they detent andreturn, then spring up behind the cards after passing them and are readyfor pick-up of the cards in the next cycle to advance each card to thenext station. Referring to FIG. 10, the upper channel strips 28 arenotched at 2% so the fingers 45 at station (8) may be set further apartto accommodate an electrode 163 wide enough to extend to substantiallythe outer limits of the card C.

The completely packaged cards that issue from station 8) of my machine(arrow 159, FIG. 4a) may then be cut along the cut lines 65 shown inFIG. 2 and at station (8) in FIG. 1 to form six individual packages thatcan be hung by means of the perforations as on display peg boards. Cardsizes and number of packages per card can be varied throughout aconsiderable range as may fold-over proportions and pocket shapes. Themagazine ends and sides may be adjusted on the rods that mount them, thearms that mount the vacuum cups '46 may be adjusted relative to themanifold 146, the distance apart of the channel strips 28 (FIG. 23) maybe increased or decreased and the positions of the gears 119' on theshaft 119a (FIG. 5) may be varied to accommodate difierent size cards.The forms 69 and 74B and the electrodes 103 and 1% may be replaced withothers of diiferent size and/ or pattern, and the breaker blades 94 andfold arms 96 may be replaced with others of different design toaccommodate many different package designs.

From the foregoing description it will be obvious that I have provided aforming and packaging machine which has a plurality of stations at whichdifferent operations are performed, and all operations are mechanicallysynchronized by operation of the piston in the main cylinder C1. Thecard loading mechanism, at station (1), part of the forming mechanism atstation (4), part of the card folding mechanism at station (7) and thesealing dies 1693 and 104 at station (8) are directly mechanicallyinterconnected with the piston of this cylinder, and the limit switchesL1, L3, L5, L6 and L7 as well as the vacuum valves 13? and 14% are allactuated by this same cylinder and accordingly timed in relation to itsmovement. The various cams 141, 142, 148, 150, 151, 152 and 153 may beadjusted longitudinally of the rod 55 for operation, each at the propertime. The limit switch L2 is operated in response to card advancemovement to insure that the cards are properly advanced before the otheroperations dictated by movement of the piston in the cylinder Cl takesplace.

The card withdrawing operation at station (1) is performed by actuationof the cylinder C1 and the forming operation at station (4) is completedby the limit switch L3 and cylinder C3 with the timer T also controllingC3. The card folding operation at station (7) is completed by the limitswitches LS5 and LS7 and the cylinders C4 and C5 and the timing of thebi h frequency sealing current at station (8) is accomplished by thepressure switch PS and the timer TT which also return the piston of thecylinder C1 to initial position for starting another cycle ofoperations. These cycles will continue until such time as the stopswitch 126 is depressed for opening the holding circuit through therelay contacts CR-A by de-energizing the relay CR.

While I have shown in FIG. 12 at station (4) a forming mold 6? andforming plugs '71 for certain types of films 63, there are other typesthat require only the forming mold 69 and the vacuum connection 86.Accordingly the forming plate '76 and the pocket forming plug 71 can bedisabled and this type of package (usually called a blister package) canbe formed by merely elevating the forming mold 69 into contact with thecard C and drawing a vacuum in the pockets thereof. At station (7) inFIG. 16 the machine can be adapted for a single fold-over card bydisabling the folder arm 34, the cylinder 4 and its breaker blade 94. Atstation (8) as shown in FIG. 20 I provide the electrodes 103 and res andtheir extensions 132. In place of electrodes these may be electricheaters for certain types of film 63 that may be sealed by heat. Otherobvious modifications can also be made to readily adapt the machine fora variety of types of packages.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of theparts of my forming and packaging machine without departing from thereal spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to coverby my claims any modified forms of structure or use of mechanicalequivalents which may reasonably be included within their scope.

I claim as my invention:

1. in a forming and packaging machine, an elongated frame having a cardloading station, a heating station, a forming station, a product loadingstation, a card folding station and a card sealing station, card slidebars reciprocable longitudinally of said frame and having springactuated card pick-up fingers pivoted thereto for each of said stations,card advance piston and cylinder means for reciprocating said card slidebars, main piston and cylinder means having an actuated elementreciprocable longitudinally of said frame, said card loading stationhaving a magazine for cards, vacuum cup means for withdrawing cards oneat a time from said magazine and depositing them on said card slidebars, said vacuum cup means bein operatively connected with saidactuated element for alternately elevating and lowering the vacuum cupseach cycle of operation, a heater for the cards at said heating station,a pair of forming elements at said forming station for engaging oppositesides of the card and forming pockets therein, one of said formingelements being actuated by said actuated element, forming piston andcylinder means for actuating the other of said forming elements, foldingmeans at said card folding station comprising breaker blades and folderarms for folding over portions of the cards to enclose the pocketsthereof, fold arms engageable with the folded over portions of the cardsto complete the folding operation, breaker blade piston and cylindermeans for operating said breaker blades, fold arm piston and cylindermeans for operating said fold arms, said folder arms being actuated bysaid actuated element, sealing electrodes at said card sealing station,said actuated element being operatively connected therewith tosimultaneously engage said electrodes With opposite sides of the card,means for supplying high frequency current to said electrodes, andcontrol means for the foregoing elements wherein completion of theadvance of said card slide bars effects actuation in one direction ofsaid actuated element for actuating said vacuum cups at said cardloading station, actuating said one of said forming elements at saidforming station, and actuating said folder arms at said card foldingstation and said sealing electrodes at said card sealing station, saidforming piston and cylinder means, said breaker blade piston andcylinder means and said fold arm piston and cylinder means all threebeing actuated as a result of such movement of said actuated element insaid one di rection, a first timing means to terminate the actuation ofsaid forming piston and cylinder means, completion of the stroke of saidactuated element effecting retraction of said card slide bars, apressure switch responsive to said main piston and cylinder means forenergizing said electrodes, and a second timing means for de-energizingsaid electrodes and effecting operation of said main piston and cylindermeans for returning said actuated element in the opposite direction.

2. In a forming and packaging machine, an elongated frame having a cardloading station, a heating station, a forming station, a product loadingstation, a card folding station and a card sealing station, card slidebars reciprocable longitudinally of said frame and having card pick-upfingers for each of said stations, card advance piston and cylindermeans for reciprocating said card slide bars, main piston and cylindermeans having an actuated element reciprocable longitudinally of saidframe, said card loading station having a magazine for cards, means forWithdrawing cards one at a time from said magazine and depositing themon said card slide bars, said last means being operatively connectedwith said actuated element, a heater for the cards at said heatingstation, a pair of forming elements at said forming station for engaging opposite sides of the card and forming pockets therein, one ofsaid forming elements being actuated by said actuated element, formingpiston and cylinder means for actuating the other of said formingelements, folding means at said card folding station comprising breakerblades and folder arms for folding over portions of the cards to enclosethe pockets thereof, fold arms engage able with the folded over portionsof the cards to complete the folding operation, breaker blade piston andcylinder means for operating said breaker blades, fold arm piston andcylinder means for operating said fold arms, said folder arms beingactuated by said actuated element, sealing electrodes at said cardsealing station, said actuated element being operatively connectedtherewith to simultaneously engage said electrodes with opposite sidesof the card, means for supplyin high frequency current to saidelectrodes, and control means for the foregoing elements whereincompletion of the advance of said card slide bars etfects actuation inone direction of said actuated element for actuating said withdrawingmeans at said card loading station, actuating said one of said formingelements at said forming station, and actuating said folder arms at saidcard folding station and said sealing electrodes at said card sealingstation, said forming piston and cylinder means, said breaker bladepiston and cylinder means and said fold arm piston and cylinder meansall three being actuated as a result of such movement of said actuatedelement in said one direction, a first timing means to terminate theactuation of said forming piston and cylinder means, completion of thestroke of said actuated element effecting retraction of said card slidebars, a pressure switch responsive to said main piston and cylindermeans for energizing said electrodes, and a second timing means forde-energizing said electrodes and effecting operation of said mainpiston and cylinder means for returning said actuated element in theopposite direction.

3. In a forming and packaging machine, an elongated frame having a cardloading station, a heating station, a forming station, a product loadingstation, a card folding station and a card sealing station, card slidebars reciprocable longitudinally of said frame and having springactuated card pick-up fingers pivoted thereto for each of said stations,card advance means for reciprocating said card slide bars, piston andcylinder means having an actuated element reciprocable longitudinally ofsaid frame, said card loading station having a magazine for cards,vacuum cup means for withdrawing cards one at a time from said magazineand depositing them on said card slide bars, said vacuum cup means beingoperatively connected with said actuated element for alternatelyelevating and lowering the vacuum cups each cycle of operation, a heaterfor the cards at said heating station, a pair of forming elements atsaid forming station for engaging opposite sides of the card and formingpockets therein, one of said forming elements being actuated by saidactuated element, a first operating means for actuating the other ofsaid forming elements, folding means at said card folding stationcomprising breaker blades and folder arms for folding over portions ofthe cards to enclose the pockets thereof, fold arms engageable with thefolded over portions of the cards to complete the folding operation, asecond operating means for operating said breaker blades, a thirdoperating means for operating said fold arms, said folder arms beingactuated by said actuated element, sealing electrodes at said cardsealing station, said actuated element being operatively connectedtherewith to simultaneously engage said electrodes with opposite sidesof the card, means for supplying high frequency current to saidelectrodes, and control means for the foregoing elements whereincompletion of the ad- Vance of said card slide bars effects actuation inone direction of said actuated element for actuating said vacuum cups atsaid card loading station, actuating said one of said forming elementsat said forming station, and actuating said folder arms at said cardfolding station and said sealing electrodes at said card sealingstation, said first operating means, said second operating means andsaid third operating means all three being actuated as a result of suchmovement of said actuated element in said one direction, a first timingmeans to terminate the actuation of said first operating means,completion of the stroke of said actuated element effecting retractionof said card slide bars, a pressure switch responsive to said piston andcylinder means for energizing said electrodes, and a second timing meansfor de-energizing said electrodes and effecting operation of said pistonand cylinder means for returning said actuated element in the oppositedirection.

4. In a forming and packaging machine, an elongated frame having a cardloading station, a heating station, a forming station, a product loadingstation, a card folding station and a card sealing station, card slidebars reciprocable longitudinally of said frame and having card pickupfingers for each of said stations, card advance means for reciprocatingsaid card slide bars, piston and cylinder means having an actuatedelement reciprocable longitudinally of said frame, said card loadingstation having a magazine for cards, means for withdrawing cards one ata time from said magazine and depositing them on said card slide bars,said last means being operatively connected with said actuated element,a heater for the cards at said heating station, a pair of formingelements at said forming station for engaging opposite sides of the cardand forming pockets therein, one of said forming elements being actuatedby said actuated element, a first operating means for actuating theother of said forming elements, folding means at said card foldingstation comprising breaker blades and folder arms for folding overportions of the cards to enclose the pockets thereof, fold armsengageable with the folded over portions of the cards to complete thefolding operation, a second operating means for operating said breakerblades, a third operating means for operating said fold arms, saidfolder arms being actuated by said actuated element, sealing electrodesat said card sealing station, said actuated element being operativelyconnected therewith to simultaneously engage said electrodes withopposite sides of the card, means for supplying high frequency currentto said electrodes, and control means for the foregoing elements whereincompletion of the advance of said card slide bars effects actuation inone direction of said actuated element for actuating said withdrawingmeans at said card loading station, actuating said one of said formingelements at said forming station, and actuating said folder arms at saidcard folding station and said sealing electrodes at said card sealingstation, said first operating means, said second operating means andsaid third operating means all three being actuated as a result of suchmovement of said actuated element in said one direction, a first timingmeans to terminate the actuation of said first operating means,completion of the stroke of said actuated element effecting retractionof said card slide bars, a pressure switch responsive to said piston andcylinder means for eneigizin said electrodes, and a second timing meansfor de-energizing said electrodes and effecting operation of said pistonand cylinder means for returning said actuated element in the oppositedirection.

5. In a forming and packaging machine, an elongated frame having a cardloading station, a heating station, a forming station, a product loadingstation, a card folding station and a card sealing station, card slidebars reciprocable longitudinally of said frame and having springactuated card pick-up fingers pivoted thereto for each of said stations,card advance piston and cylinder means for reciprocating said card slidebars, main piston and cylinder means having an actuated elementreciprocable longitudinally of said frame, said card loading stationhaving a magazine for cards, vacuum cup means for withdrawing cards oneat a time from said magazine and depositing them on said card slidebars, said vacuum cup means being operatively connected with saidactuated element for alternately elevating and lowering the vacuum cupseach cycle of operation, a heater for the cards at said heating station,a pair of forming elements at said forming station for engaging oppositesides of the card and forming pockets therein, one of said formingelements being actuated by said actuated element, forming piston andcylinder means for actuating the other of said forming elements, foldingmeans at said card folding station comprising breaker blades and folderarms for folding over portions of the cards to enclose the pocketsthereof, fold arms engageable with the folded over portions of the cardsto complete the folding operation, breaker blade piston and cylindermeans for operating said breaker blades, fold arm piston and cylindermeans for operating said fold arms, said folder arms being actuated bysaid actuated element, sealing electrodes at said card sealing station,said actuated element being operatively connected therewith tosimultaneously engage said electrodes with opposite sides of the card,and means for supplying high frequency current to said electrodes.

6. In a forming and packaging machine, an elongated frame having a cardloading station, a heating station, a forming station, a product loadingstation, a card folding station and a card sealing station, card slidebars reciprocable longitudinally of said frame and having card pick-upfingers for each of said stations, card advance piston and cylindermeans for reciprocating said card slide bars, main piston and cylindermeans having an actuated element reciprocable longitudinally of saidframe, said card loading station having a magazine for cards, means forWithdrawing cards one at a time from said magazine and depositing themon said card slide bars, said means being operatively connected withsaid actuated element,

a heater for the cards at said heating station, a pair of formingelements at said forming station for engaging opposite sides of the cardand forming pockets therein, one of said forming elements being actuatedby said actuated element, forming piston and cylinder means foractuating the other of said forming elements, folding means at said cardfolding station comprising breaker blades and folder arms for foldingover portions of the cards to enclose the pockets thereof, fold armsengageable with the folded over portions of the cards to complete thefolding operation, breaker blade piston and cylinder means for operatingsaid breaker blades, fold arm piston and cylinder means for operatingsaid fold arms, said folder arms being actuated by said actuatedelement, sealing electrodes at said card sealing station, said actuatedelement being operatively connected therewith to simultaneously engagesaid electrodes with opposite sides of the card, and means for supplyinghigh frequency current to said electrodes.

7. In a forming and packaging machine, an elongated frarne having a cardloading station, a heating station, a forming station, a product loadingstation, a card folding station and a card sealing station, card slidebars reciprocable longitudinally of said frame and having springactuated card pick-up fingers pivoted thereto for each of said stations,card advance means for reciprocating said card slide bars, piston andcylinder means having an actuated element reciprocable longitudinally ofsaid frame, said card loading station having a magazine for cards,vacuum cup means for withdrawing cards one at a time from said magazineand depositing them on said card slide bars, said vacuum cup means beingoperatively connected with said actuated element for alternatelyelevating and lowering the vacuum cups each cycle of operation, a heaterfor the cards at said heating station, a pair of forming elements atsaid forming station for engaging opposite sides of the card and formingpockets therein, one of said forming elements being actuated by saidactuated element, a first operating means for actuating the other ofsaid forming elements, folding means at said card folding stationcomprising breaker blades and folder arms for folding over portions ofthe cards to enclose the pockets thereof, fold arms engageable with thefolded over portions of the cards to complete the folding operation, asecond operating means for operating said breaker blades, a thirdoperating means for operating said fold arms, said folder arms beingactuated by said actuated element, sealing electrodes at said cardsealing station, said actuated element being operatively connectedtherewith to simultaneously engage said electrodes with opposite sidesof the card, and means for supplying high frequency current to saidelectrodes.

8. In a forming and packaging machine, an elongated frame having a cardloading station, a heating station, a forming station, a product loadingstation, a card folding station and a card sealing station, card slidebars reciprocable longitudinally of said frame and having card pick-upfingers for each of said stations, card advance means for reciprocatingsaid card slide bars, piston and cylinder means having an actuatedelement reciprocable longitudinally of said frame, said card load ingstation having a magazine for cards, means for withdrawing cards one ata time from said magazine and depositing them on said card slide bars,said last means being operatively connected with said actuated element,a heater for the cards at said heating station, a pair of formingelements at said forming station for engaging opposite sides of the cardand forming pockets therein, one of said forming elements being actuatedby said actuated element, a first operating means for actuating theother of said forming elements, folding means at 'said card foldingstation comprising breaker blades and folder arms for folding overportions of the cards to enclose the pockets thereof, fold armsengageable with the folded over portions of the cards to complete thefolding operation, a second operating means for operating said breakerblades, a third operating means for operating said fold arms, saidfolder arms being actuated by said actuated element, sealing electrodesat said card sealing station, said actuated element being operativelyconnected therewith to simultaneously engage said electrodes withopposite sides of the card, and means for supplying high frequencycurrent to said electrodes.

9. A forming and packaging machine of the character disclosed comprisingan elongated frame having a card loading station, a heating station, aforming station, a product loading station, a card folding station and acard sealing station, card slide bars reciprocable longitudinally ofsaid frame and having card pick-up fingers for each of said stations,card advance piston and cylinder means for reciprocating said card slidebars, main piston and cylinder means having an actuated elementreciprocable longitudinally of said frame, said card loading stationhaving a magazine for cards, means operatively connected with saidactuated element for withdrawing cards from said magazine and depositingthem on said card slide bars, heaters for the cards at said heatingstation, a pair of forming elements at said forming station for engagingopposite sides of the card and V forming pockets therein, one of saidforming elements being actuated by said actuated element, forming pistonand cylinder means for actuating the other of said forming elements,folding means at said card folding station comprising breaker blades andfolder arms for folding over portions of the cards to enclose thepockets there-g of, breaker blade piston and cylinder means foroperating said breaker blades, said folder arms being actuated by saidactuated element, sealing electrodes at said card sealing station, saidactuated element being operatively connected therewith to simultaneouslyengage said electrodes with opposite sides of the card, means forsupplying high frequency current to said electrodes, and control meansfor the foregoing elements wherein completion of the advance of saidcard slide bars effects actuation in one direction of said actuatedelement for actuating said card withdrawing means at said card loadingstation, actuating said one of said forming elements at said formingstation, and actuating said folder arms at said card folding station andsaid sealing electrodes at said card sealing station, said formingpiston and cylinder means and said breaker blade piston and cylindermeans both being actuated as a result of such movement of said actuatedelement in said one direction, a first timing means to terminate theactuation of said forming piston and cylinder means, completion of thestroke of said actuated element effecting retraction of said card slidebars, a pressure switch responsive to said main piston and cylindermeans for energizing said electrodes, and a second timing means forde-energizing said electrodes and effecting operation of said mainpiston and cylinder means for returning said actuated element in theopposite direction.

10. A forming and packaging machine comprising an elongated frame havinga card loading station, a heating station, a forming station, a productloading station, a card folding station and a card sealing station, cardslide bars reciprocable longitudinally of said frame and having means toadvance cards therealong to each of said stations, a first actuatingmeans for reciprocating said oard slide bars, a second means having anactuated element reciprocable longitudinally of said frame, said cardloading station having a magazine for cards, withdrawing means forwithdrawing cards one at a time from said mag-azine and depositing themon said card slide bars, said withdrawing means being operativelyconnected with said actuated element for Withdrawing a card from saidmagazine each cycle of operation, a heater for the cards at said heatingstation, a pair of forming elements at said forming station for engagingopposite sides of the card and forming pockets therein, one of saidforming elements being actuated by said actuated element, a secondactuating means for actuating the other of said forming elements,folding means at said card folding station comprising breaker blades andfolder arms for folding over portions of the cards to enclose thepockets thereof, fold arms engageable with the folded over portions ofthe cards to complete the folding operation, a third actuating means foroperating said breaker blades, a fourth actuating means for operatingsaid fold arms, said folder arms be ng actuated by said actuatedelement, sealing electrodes at said card sealing station, said actuatedelement being operatively connected therewith to simultaneously engagesaid electrodes with opposite sides of the card, means for supplyinghigh frequency current to said electrodes, and control means for theforegoing elements wherein completion of the advance of said card slidebars effects ac nation in one direction of said actuated element foractuating said withdrawing means at said card loading station, actuatingsaid one of said forming elements at said forming station, and actuatingsaid folder arms at said card folding station and said sealing eectrodes at said card sealing station, said second, third and fourthactuating means being actuated as a result of such movement of saidactuated element in said one direction, a first timing means toterminate the actuation of said second actuating means, completion ofthe stroke of said actuated element effecting retraction of said cardslide bars, means responsive to closure of said electrodes forenergizing the same, and a second timing means for tie-energizing saidelectrodes and effecting operation of said actuated element in theopposite direction.

11. A forming and packaging machine comprising an elongated frame havinga card loading station, a heating station, a forming station, a productloading station, a card folding station and a card sealing station, cardslide bars reciprocable longitudinally of said frame and having means toadvance cards therealong to each of said stations, at first actuatingmeans for reciprocating said card slide bars, a second means having anactuated element reciprocable longitudinally of said frame, said cardloading station having a magazine for cards, withdrawing means forwithdrawing cards one at a time from said magazine and depositing themon said card slide bars, said Withdrawing means being operativelyconnected with said actuated element for withdrawing a card from saidmagazine each cycle of operation, a heater for the cards at said heatingstation, a pair of forming elements at said forming station for engagingopposite sides of the card and forming pockets therein, one of saidforming elements being actuated by said actuated element, a secondactuating means for actuating the other of said forming element, foldingmeans at said card folding station comprising breaker blades and folderarms for folding over portions of the cards to enclose the pocketsthereof, fold arms engageable with the folded over portions of the cardsto complete the folding operation, a third actuating means for operatingsaid breaker blades, a fourth actuating means for operating said foldarms, said folder arms being actuate oy said actuated element, sealingelectrodes at said card sealing station, said actuated element beingoperatively connected therewith to simultaneously engage said electrodeswith opposite sides of the card, and means for supplying high frequencycurrent to said electrodes.

12. In a forming and packaging machine, an elongated frame having a cardloading station, a forming station, a card folding station and a cardsealing station, card slide bars reciprocable longitudinally of saidframe and having card pick-up means at each of said stations to advancea card to the next station, card advance means for reciprocating saidcard slide bars, main piston and cylinder means having an actuatedelement reciprocable longitudinally of said frame, said card loadingstation having a magazine for cards, means for withdrawing cards one ata time from said magazine and depositing them on said card slide bars,said means being operatively connected with Said actuated lement foractuation thereby each cycle of operation of the machine, a pair offorming elements at said forming station for engaging opposite sides ofthe card and forming pockets therein, one of said forming elements beingactuated by said actuated element, a first actuating means for actuatingthe other of said forming elements, folding means at said card foldingstation comprising breaker blades and folder arms for folding overportions of the cards to enclose pockets thereof, fold arms engageablewith the folded over portions of the cards to complete the foldingoperation, a second actuating means for operating said breaker blades, athird actuating means for operating said fold arms, said folder armsbeing actuated by said actuated elements, sealing electrodes at saidcard sealing station, said actuated element being operatively connectedtherewith to simultaneously engage said electrodes with opposite sidesof the card, means for supplying igh frequency current to saidelectrodes, and control means for the foregoing elements whereincompletion of the advance of said card slide bars effects actuation inone direction of said actuated element for actuating said cardwithdrawing means at said card loading station, actuating said one ofsaid forming elements at said forming station, and actuating said folderarms at said card folding station and said sealing electrodes at saidcard sealing station, said first, second and third actuating means beingactuated as a result of such movement of said actuated element in saidone direction, a first timing means to terminate the actuation of saidfirst actuating means, completion of the stroke of said actuated elementeffecting retraction of said card slide bars, a pressure switchresponsive to said main piston and cylinder means for energizing saidelectrodes, and a second timing means for de-energizing said electrodesand effecting operation of said main piston and cylinder means forreturning said actuated element in the opposite direction.

13. A forming and packaging machine comprising an elongated frame havinga card loading station, a heating station, a forming station, a productloading station, a card folding station and a card sealing station, cardslide bars reciprocable longitudinally of said frame and having pick-upmeans for each of said stations, card advance piston and cylinder meansfor reciprocating said card slide bars, main piston and cylinder meanshaving an actuated element reciprocable longitudinally of said frame,said card loading station having a magazine for cards, means forwithdrawing cards one at a time from said magazine and depositing themon said card slide bars, said last means being operatively connectedwith said actuated element for operation each cycle of operation of themachine, a heater for the cards at said heating station, a pair offorming elements at said forming station for engaging opposite sides ofthe card and forming pockets therein, one of said forming elements beingactuated by said actuated element, forming piston and cylinder means foractuating the other of said forming elements, folding means at said cardfolding station comprising breaker blades and folder arms for foldingover portions of the cards to enclose the pockets thereof, fold armsengageable With the folded over portions of the cards to complete thefolding operation, breaker blade piston and cylinder means for operatingsaid breaker blades, fold arm piston and cylinder means for operatingsaid fold arms, said folder arms being actuated by said actuatedelement, sealing electrodes at said card sealing station, said actuatedele- .ent being operatively connected therewith to simultaneously engagesaid electrodes with opposite sides of the card, means for supplyinghigh frequency current to said electrodes, and control means for theforegoing elements wherein completion of the advance of said card slidebars effects actuation in one direction of said actuated element foractuating said withdrawing means at said card loading station, actuatingsaid one of said forming elements at said forming station, and actuatingsaid folder arms at said card folding station and said sealingelectrodes at said card sealing station, said forming piston andcylinder means, said breaker blade piston and cylinder means and saidfold arm piston and cylinder means all three being actuated as a resultof such movement of said actuated element in said one direction, meansto terminate the actuation of said forming piston and cylinder means,completion of the stroke of said actuated element effecting retractionof said card slide bars, and timing means effecting operation of saidmain piston and cylinder means for returning said actuated element inthe opposite direction.

14. A forming and packaging machine comprising an elongated frame havinga card loading station, a heating station, a forming station, a productloading station, a card folding station and a card sealing station, cardslide bars reciprocable longitudinally of said frame and having pick-upmeans for each of said stations, card advance piston and cylinder meansfor reciprocating said card slide bars, main piston and cylinder meanshaving an actuated element reciprocable longitudinally of said frame,said card loading station having a magazine for cards, means forWithdrawing cards one at a time from said magazine and depositing themon said card slide bars, said last means being operatively connectedwith said actuated element for operation each cycle of operation of themachine, a heater for the cards at said heating station, a pair offorming elements at said forming station for engaging opposite sides ofthe card and forming pockets therein, one of said forming elements beingactuated by said actuated element, forming piston and cylinder means foractuating the other of said forming elements, folding means at said cardfolding station comprising breaker blades and folder arms for foldingover portions of the cards to enclose the pockets thereof, fold armsengageable with the folded over portions of the cards to complete thefolding operation, breaker blade piston and cylinder means for operatingsaid breaker blades, fold arm piston and cylinder means for operatingsaid fold arms, said folder arms being actuated by said actuatedelement, sealing electrodes at said card sealing station, said actuatedelement being operatively connected therewith to simultaneously engagesaid electrodes with opposite sides of the card, and means for supplyinghigh frequency current to said electrodes.

15. In a forming and packaging machine, an elongated frame having a cardloading station, a forming station, a card folding station and a cardsealing station, card slide bars reciprocable longitudinally of saidframe and having card pick-up fingers for each of said stations, cardadvance means for reciprocating said card slide bars, piston andcylinder means having an actuated element reciprocable longitudinally ofsaid frame, said card loading station having a magazine for cards, afirst means for withdrawing cards from said magazine and depositing themon said card slide bars, said first means being operatively connectedwith said actuated element, a pair of forming elements at said formingstation for engaging opposite sides of the card and forming pocketstherein, one of said forming elements being actuated by said actuatedelement, a second means for actuating the other of said formingelements, folding means at said card folding station comprising reakerblades and folder arms for folding over portions of the cards to enclosethe pockets thereof, a third means for operating said breaker blades,said folder arms being actuated by said actuated element, sealingelectrodes at said card sealing station, said actuated element beingoperatively connected therewith to simultaneously move said electrodesin opposite directions to engage opposite sides of the card, means forsupplying high frequency current to said electrodes, and control meansfor the foregoing elements wherein completion of the advance of saidcard slide bars effects actuation in one direction of said actuatedelements for actuating said first means at said card loading station,

actuating said one of said forming elements at said forming station, andactuating said folder arms at said card folding station and said sealingelectrodes at said card sealing station, said second and third meansbeing actuated as a result of such movement of said actuated element insaid one direction, a first timing means to terminate the actuation ofsaid second means, completion of the stroke of said actuated elementeffecting retraction of said card slide bars, a pressure switchresponsive to said piston and cylinder means for energizing saidelectrodes, and a second timing means for dc-energizing said electrodesand effecting operation of said piston and cylinder means for returningsaid actuated element in the opposite direction.

16. A forming and packaging machine comprising m elongated frame havinga card loading station, a forming station, a product loading station, acard folding station and a card sealing station, card slide barsreciprocable longitudinally of said frame and having card pickup meansfor each of said stations, card advance means for reciprocating saidcard slide bars, piston and cylinder means having an actuated elementreciprocable longitudinally of said frame, said card loading stationhaving a magazine for cards, means for withdrawing cards from saidmagazine and depositing, them on said card slide bars, said last meansbeing operatively connected with said actuated element for operationthereby, a pair of forming elements at said forming station for engagingopposite sides of the card and forming article receiving pocketstherein, one of said forming elements being actuated by said actuatedelement, a first operating means for actuating the other of said formingelements, folding means at said card folding station comprising breakerblades and folder arms for folding over portions of the cards to enclosethe pockets thereof, a second operating means for operating said breakerblades, said folder arms being actuated by said actuated element,sealing electrodes at said card sealing station, said actuated elementbeing operative-1y connected therewith to simultaneously engage saidelectrodes with opposite sides of the card, means for supplying highfrequency current to said electrodes, and control means for theforegoing elements wherein completion of the advance of said card slidebars effects actuation in one direction of said actuated element foractuating said card withdrawing means at said card loading station,actuating said one of said forming elements at said forming station, andactuating said folder arms at said card folding station and said sealingelectrodes at said card sealing station, said first and second operatingmeans being actuated as a result of such movement of said actuatedelement in said one direction, a first means to terminate the actuationof said first operating means, completion of the stroke of said actuatedelement effecting retraction of said card slide bars, and a second meansfor effecting operation of said piston and cylinder means for returningsaid actuated element in the opposite direction.

17. A forming and packaging machine comprising an elongated frame havinga card loading station, a forming station, a product loading station, acard folding station and a card sealing station, means for advancingcards from station to station along said frame, piston and cylindermeans having an actuated element reciprocable longitudinally of saidframe, said card loading station having a magazine for cards, means forWithdrawing cards from said magazine and depositing them on said cardadvancing means, said last means being operatively connected With saidactuated element for operation thereby each cycle of its operation, apair of forming elements at said forming station for engaging oppositesides of the card and forming pockets therein, one of said form-ingelements being actuated by said actuated element, forming piston andcylinder means for actuating the other of said forming elements, foldingmeans at said card folding station comprising breaker blades and folderarms for folding over portions of the cards to enclose the pocketsthere-f, fold arms engageable with the folded over portions of the cardsto complete the folding operation, breaker blade piston and cylindermeans for operating said breaker blades, and fold arm piston andcylinder means for operating said fold arms, said folder arms beingactuated by said actuated element, sealing electrodes at said cardsealing station, said actuated eler'ient eing operatively connectedtherewith to simultaneously engage said electrodes with opposite sidesof the card.

18. A forming and packaging machine comprising an elongated frame havina card loading station, a forming station, a product loading station, acard folding station and a card se ling station, means for advancingcards from station to station along sai frame, piston and cylinder meanshaVig an actuated element reciprocable longitudinally of said frame,said card loading station having a magazine for cards, means forwithdrawing cards one at a time from said magazine and depositing themon said card advancing means, said last means being operativelyconnected with said actuated element, a pair of forming elements at saidforming station for engaging opposite sides of the card and formingpockets therein, one of said forming elements being actuated by saidactuated element, a first means for actuating the other of said formingelements, folding means at said card folding station comprising breakerblades and folder arms for folding over portions of the cards to enclosethe pockets thereof, fold arms engageable with the folded over portionsof the cards to complete the folding operation, a second means foroperating said breaker blades, a third means for operating said foldarms, said folder ar-ms being actuated by sa d actuated element, sealingelectrodes at said card sealing station, said actuated element beingoeerative-ly connected therewith to simultaneously engage saidelectrodes With Opposite sides of the card, and means for on said cardadvancing means, said last means being operatively connected with saidactuated element, a heater for the cards at said heating station, a pairof forming elements at said forming station for engaging opposite sidesof the card and forming pockets therein, one of said forming elementsbeing actuated by said actuated element, a first operating means foractuating the other of said forming element, folding means at said cardfolding station comprising breaker blades and folder arms for foldingover portions of the cards to enclose the pockets thereof, fold armsengageable with the folded over portions of the cards to complete thefoldin operation, a second operat ing means for operating said breakerblades, a third operating means for operating said fold arms, saidfolder arms being actuated by said actuated element, and sealingelectrodes at said card sealing station, said actuated element beingoperatively connected therewith to simultaneously engage said electrodeswith opposite sides of the card.

21. A forming and packaging machine comprising an elongated frame havinga card loading station, a forming station, a product loading station, acard folding station and a card seal'mg station, card slide barsreciprocable longitudinally of said frame and having means to advancecards therealong to each of said stations, a first actuating means forreciprocating said card slide bars, a second means having an actuatedelement reciprocabl longitudinally of said frame, said card loadingstation having a magazine for cards, withdrawing means for withdrawingcards one at a time from said magazine and depositing them on said cardslide bars, said withdrawing means being operatively connected with saidactuated element for withdrawing a card from said magazine each cycle ofoperation, a pair of forming elements at said forming station forengaging opposite sides of the card and forming pockets therein, one ofsaid forming elements being actuated by said actuated element, a secondactuating means for actuating the other of said forming elements,folding means

18. A FORMING AND PACKAGING MACHINE COMPRISING AN ELONGATED FRAME HAVINGA CARD LOADING STATION, A FORMING STATION, A PRODUCT LOADING STATION, ACARD FOLDING STATION AND A CARD SEALING STATION, MEANS FOR ADVANCINGCARDS FROM STATION TO STATION ALONG SAID FRAME, PISTON AND CYLINDERMEANS HAVING AN ACTUATED ELEMENT RECIPROCABLE LONGITUDINALLY OF SAIDFRAME, SAID CARD LOADING STATION HAVING A MAGAZINE FOR CARDS, MEANS FORWITHDRAWING CARDS ONE AT A TIME FROM SAID MAGAZINE AND DEPOSITING THEMON SAID CARD ADVANCING MEANS, SAID LAST MEANS BEING OPERATIVELYCONNECTED WITH SAID ACTUATED ELEMENT, A PAIR OF FORMING ELEMENTS AT SAIDFORMING STATION FOR ENGAGING OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE CARD AND FORMINGPOCKETS THEREIN, ONE OF SAID FORMING ELEMENTS BEING ACTUATED BY SAIDACTUATED ELE-